The Watkins 49ers needed wide receiver help in Week 7, and Jordan Watkins was part of the answer on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. With Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel sidelined by injuries, Watkins and Brandin Cooks got the start as San Francisco tried to work through a short-handed passing game.
The first half was a reminder of how limited the 49ers' offense was through the air. San Francisco led 14-12 at the break, but Cooks and Watkins combined for 0 receiving yards. Watkins was not targeted, while Cooks was targeted once. The 49ers leaned heavily on the run game, and that was reflected in the production.
Receiver depth under pressure
Watkins' quiet first half mattered because the 49ers were already missing two starting wide receivers and needed immediate production from the players who did take the field. Instead, the offense turned elsewhere while the game stayed close.
The injury situation did not stop at receiver, either. Christian McCaffrey sustained a thigh injury in the first half and was listed as questionable to return. In the second quarter, Kaelon Black also committed a fumble, adding to a first half that had enough moving parts for San Francisco without much help from its passing game.
For Watkins, the start was still notable. But in a game shaped by injuries and a run-heavy approach, the more important number was the one that never came: 0 targets before halftime.
